Tag: Priests

During the past 10 years, requests for exorcisms have been steadily on the rise prompting the Catholic Church in the US to increase her number of priests exorcists from 12 to 50. Nevertheless, a recent trend has seen the emergence of countless online “exorcism” ministries.

These ministries are primarily led by Protestant groups, but sometimes they use Catholic prayers, including the official Exorcism Rite.

As well, it doesn’t take long to find the Exorcism Rite online, and Catholics may be tempted to pray the official prayers when faced with worries about the work of the devil in their lives.

This issue naturally brings up the question, “Who can perform exorcisms? Is there a danger in saying these prayers as a lay person?”

The official Rite of Exorcism is very clear about who can perform exorcisms: “A priest—one who is expressly and particularly authorized by the Ordinary [local bishop].”

This means that no lay person and no priest not so authorized can perform this reserved Rite.

Moreover, the Rite mentions that the priest “must be properly distinguished for his piety, prudence, and integrity of life. He should fulfill this devout undertaking in all constancy and humility… he ought to be of mature years, and revered not alone for his office but for his moral qualities.”

In other words, the priest appointed by the bishop must be a holy priest, one who will approach this powerful office with humility and not pride. He needs to realize that the demons do not leave a person because of his power but because of God’s power. The exorcist is simply an instrument that God uses to expel the presence of evil from an individual or place.

Put simply, lay people do not have the ordained power or proper authority to perform an exorcism. This would also be true for priests trying to perform exorcisms without the bishop’s authority (if such a case were to arise). The priest would be acting in disobedience to his direct superior, and put himself into the devil’s playground.

On the other hand, lay people can pray general “exorcism prayers” that invoke God’s help for deliverance from the demonic. These prayers do not claim any personal power over demons and are similar to the Our Father, which ends by saying, “deliver us from evil.” Such prayers are technically not “exorcism” prayers, but “deliverance” prayers and do not rely on any gifts given at priestly ordination.

What is certain is that we should always be cautious when something demonic is involved. The devil is a deceiver and intent on luring us into evil, though of course his power is nothing compared to God’s.

The Church, in her wisdom, has asked that only specific priests be committed to the ministry of exorcism. It is dangerous business and one that has eternal consequences.

Like this:

1. “So…did women not find you attractive or something?”
How is a priest supposed to reply to this? It’s not like they were forced to be a priest because they couldn’t get married or were undesirable.

2. “I had the craziest dream during your homily.”
LOL. Even if it’s true, keep it to yourself!

3. “You wouldn’t happen to know if the girl in the confessional before me is single?”
Doesn’t it go without saying that when you’re in the line for confession, you are there for confession and nothing else? Come on men!

4. “You know, for a priest, you’re not that bad looking.”
Why would you say that!?

5. “Must be nice to only have to work Sundays.”
Hopefully, most of us know that priests work some of the longest and most pain-filled days of anyone in the world. Imagine serving people only when there is a crisis or a moment of great joy – both of those tax an incredible amount of energy and stress!

6. “How much of that collection basket do you take home with you?”
“Enough.” Most priests live well below the poverty income level. My priest used to tell me when he’d come over for dinner, “It’s nice to have something other than beans for a change.”

7. “Did you realize you forgot _____ in the Mass?”
They might be reading from a Missal, but they aren’t perfect. Maybe give them a break?

8. “What do you do with all that free time you have?”
“Pray for people like you!”

8. “What do you do with all that free time you have?”
“Pray for people like you!”

11. “Father _____ did things differently.”
Sometimes it’s best not to reply.

12. “Can you be sure to say _____ in your homily, I have (family, friends) coming with me.”
Just let the priest say his homily. There are several hundreds of other people who bring friends and family to Mass. A better solution would be to pray that whatever is.

13. “When do you think you’ll retire?”
First, by “retire,” let’s make sure we all know that priests never stop being priests, and even when they do retire from parish duties, they usually continue to support their diocese in baptisms, weddings, etc. Second, this “retirement” is typically the last thing a priest ever wants.

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A cross section of Priest with green coloured stole above their necks.

​Why do priests (and deacons) wear a stole?

The small piece of fabric is one of the most important vestments worn by ordained clergy.One of the most significant vestments a member of the ordained clergy wears is a simple strip of material called a stole.

The Vatican’s Office of Liturgical Celebrations explains, “The stole is the distinctive element of the raiment of the ordained minister and it is always worn in the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals. It is a strip of material that is embroidered, according to the norm, whose color varies with respect to the liturgical season or feast day.”…

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Excerpts of an article written by non-Catholic; Sam Miller – a prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman:

“Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church?

Do you know – the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students. …